How to Formally Describe Various Sets in Mathematics?

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The discussion focuses on formal descriptions of various mathematical sets, with specific examples provided. The correct representations include the set of numbers {1, 10, 100}, integers greater than 5, natural numbers less than 5, the string "aba", the empty string, and the empty set. A correction is noted for the set of integers greater than 5, which should use ">" instead of "≥". Participants express confidence in the equivalence of different notations for the empty set. The conversation highlights the importance of precise notation in mathematical set representation.
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Homework Statement



Write formal descriptions of the following sets.

(a) The set containing the numbers 1, 10, and 100
(b) The set containing all integers that are greater than 5
(c) The set containing all natural numbers that are less than 5
(d) The set containing the string aba
(e) The set containing the empty string
(f) The set containing nothing at all

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



(a) ## \{1, 10, 100 \} ##
(b) ## \{ i\ |\ i \in \mathbb{N}\ \text{and}\ i \geq 5 \} ##
(c) ## \{ 1, 2, 3, 4 \} ##
(d) ## \{ aba \} ##
(e) ## \{ \epsilon \} ##
(f) ## \{ \} ##

Are my answers correct?
 
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..except that I would have written:
(d) {"aba"}
(e) {""}
(f) Ø
 
Ah! I see!

I am fairly confident that ## \{ \}## and ## \emptyset ## mean the same thing.

Since I am new to the representation of strings, I haven't seen the apostrophe's used for strings before, though!
 
failexam said:

Homework Statement



Write formal descriptions of the following sets.

(a) The set containing the numbers 1, 10, and 100
(b) The set containing all integers that are greater than 5
(c) The set containing all natural numbers that are less than 5
(d) The set containing the string aba
(e) The set containing the empty string
(f) The set containing nothing at all

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



(a) ## \{1, 10, 100 \} ##
(b) ## \{ i\ |\ i \in \mathbb{N}\ \text{and}\ i \geq 5 \} ##
(c) ## \{ 1, 2, 3, 4 \} ##
(d) ## \{ aba \} ##
(e) ## \{ \epsilon \} ##
(f) ## \{ \} ##

Are my answers correct?
To add to what Svein said, the answer to (b) should be (b) ## \{ i\ |\ i \in \mathbb{N}\ \text{and}\ i > 5 \} ##
Do you see the difference?
 
Yes.
 

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